A boy casts an interested look at a U.S. soldier June
A boy casts an interested look at a U.S. soldier June 11, 2012, during a mission in Charikar, the capital of Afghanistan’s Parwan province. The soldier, a medic assigned to the 1st Infantry Division’s headquart... More
A 1st Infantry Division soldier scans the Afghan countryside
A 1st Infantry Division soldier scans the Afghan countryside during a mission in eastern Afghanistan, April 26.
President Barack Obama speaks to troops serving on
President Barack Obama speaks to troops serving on Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, during a surprise visit, May 2.
A local tradition, Afghan businessmen and officials
A local tradition, Afghan businessmen and officials lay scissors on a tray of candies after cutting the ribbon at a water pumping station in Charikar, Parwan province, June 11. The pumping station, which was or... More
A soldier deployed to Afghanistan with the Texas Army
A soldier deployed to Afghanistan with the Texas Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion (Airborne), 143rd Infantry Regiment, prepares his truck’s weapon system before a mission from Bagram Air Field to eastern Afg... More
A U.S. soldier mans the turret of his vehicle during
A U.S. soldier mans the turret of his vehicle during a mission to check on the status of road repairs in the mountains of Kapisa province, Afghanistan, Aug. 2, 2012. The troops, assigned to the Texas Army Natio... More
Staff Sgt. Francisco Ballou, platoon sergeant of the
Staff Sgt. Francisco Ballou, platoon sergeant of the 1st Infantry Division’s “Mercenary” security platoon, walks down a road in eastern Afghanistan’s Parwan province, June 11.
“Sky” soldiers with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat
“Sky” soldiers with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team enjoy a Thanksgiving meal at Combat Outpost McClain, Afghanistan, Nov. 22, 2012. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Roland Hale, RC-East Public Affairs)
A soldier deployed to Afghanistan with the Texas Army
A soldier deployed to Afghanistan with the Texas Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion (Airborne), 143rd Infantry Regiment, scans a town in Kapisa province from a rooftop during a mission, Aug. 2, 2012.
A group of Afghan children pose for a photo in Afghanistan’s
A group of Afghan children pose for a photo in Afghanistan’s eastern Parwan province. The province is one of the more relatively peaceful areas in the country’s mountainous northeast, and U.S. troops here focus... More
A 1st Infantry Division soldier stands guard on Bagram
A 1st Infantry Division soldier stands guard on Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, April 26.
British army Brig. Felix Gedney moves to board a Chinook
British army Brig. Felix Gedney moves to board a Chinook helicopter during a mission in eastern Afghanistan's Paktika province, June 28.
An Afghan boy holds his bike as U.S. troops walk through
An Afghan boy holds his bike as U.S. troops walk through his village in eastern Afghanistan’s Kapisa province, Aug. 2, 2012. A group of children and teenagers gathered to meet the troops assigned to Provincial ... More
A U.S. Army soldier with the 101st Airborne Division
A U.S. Army soldier with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) prepares his Thanksgiving plate at Forward Operating Base Finley-Shield, Afghanistan, Nov. 22, 2012. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Roland Hale, RC-E... More
An Afghan building sits atop the hills surrounding
An Afghan building sits atop the hills surrounding Forward Operating Base Tillman, a small base in eastern Afghanistan's Paktika province.
Spc. Glen Abbot stands guard during a meeting of military,
Spc. Glen Abbot stands guard during a meeting of military, civilian and Afghan officials in eastern Afghanistan’s Parwan province, June 11. Assigned to the 1st Infantry Division’s headquarters battalion, Abbot’... More
Army 1st Lt. Nick Bono, center, the aide-de-camp for
Army 1st Lt. Nick Bono, center, the aide-de-camp for Brig. Gen. Paul Funk, the 1st Infantry Division deputy commanding general for maneuver, helps unload pizzas at a combat outpost in eastern Afghanistan’s Pakt... More
A pile of shrapnel, twisted metal and rusty ordnance
A pile of shrapnel, twisted metal and rusty ordnance fired at U.S. troops serving on Forward Operating Base Tillman, Paktika province, Afghanistan.
An U.S. Army soldier walks near the perimeter of Forward
An U.S. Army soldier walks near the perimeter of Forward Operating Base Tillman, a small base in eastern Afghanistan's Paktika province, June 28.
Spc. Ronald Corona, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 143rd
Spc. Ronald Corona, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 143rd Infantry Regiment, moves into the tree-line during a mission in eastern Afghanistan’s Kapisa province, Aug. 2, 2012. The Texas Army National Guard unit is ass... More
Spc. Charles Cothren, 1st Infantry Division, stands
Spc. Charles Cothren, 1st Infantry Division, stands guard as soldiers return to an Afghan compound following a mission in Parwan province, Afghanistan, June 11.
A 1st Infantry Division soldier holds a salute during
A 1st Infantry Division soldier holds a salute during a 9/11 remembrance ceremony on Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Sept. 11. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Roland Hale)
A 1st Infantry Division soldier assigned to the headquarters
A 1st Infantry Division soldier assigned to the headquarters battalion’s security platoon prepares his vehicle for a mission June 11 on Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.
Afghan men look on as Spc. Charles Cothren stands guard
Afghan men look on as Spc. Charles Cothren stands guard during a mission in eastern Afghanistan’s Parwan province. Cothren is deployed from Fort Riley, Kan., with the 1st Infantry Division’s headquarters battalion.
An Afghan child shoots a confused look into the camera
An Afghan child shoots a confused look into the camera Aug. 1, 2012, in eastern Afghanistan’s Kapisa province. Despite an 11-year presence here, U.S. troops are often still a spectacle to many Afghans in the re... More
Spc. Ronald Corona, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 143rd
Spc. Ronald Corona, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 143rd Infantry Regiment, provides security on a mission to visit a local girls’ school in eastern Afghanistan’s Kapisa province, Aug. 2, 2012. The Texas Army Nation... More
Army 1st Infantry Division soldiers serving on Bagram
Army 1st Infantry Division soldiers serving on Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, stand ready to fire a 21-gun-salute during a Memorial Day service, May 28.
U.S. troops walk below the national colors of America
U.S. troops walk below the national colors of America and Afghanistan during a visit to Forward Operating Base Boris, a small base in eastern Afghanistan's Paktika province, June 28.
British army Brig. Felix Gedney, a deputy commanding
British army Brig. Felix Gedney, a deputy commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division and Regional Command - East, listens to a briefing during a visit to Forward Operating Base Tillman, June 28. Tillman, a... More
Sgt. Emerson Bennett, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 143rd
Sgt. Emerson Bennett, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 143rd Infantry Regiment, during a mission in eastern Afghanistan’s Kapisa province, Aug. 2, 2012. The Texas Army National Guard unit is assigned to Provincial Rec... More
British army Brig. Felix Gedney, a deputy commanding
British army Brig. Felix Gedney, a deputy commanding general of the U.S. Army's 1st Infantry Division, turns his head to scan the Afghan countryside as his Chinook helicopter prepares to land at a remote base i... More
U.S. troops stationed at Forward Operating Base
U.S. troops stationed at Forward Operating Base Finley-Shields, Afghanistan, decorated their local dining facility for a special Thanksgiving meal, Nov. 22, 2012. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Roland Hale, RC-East P... More
Sgt. Christopher Rohling, center, goes over last minute
Sgt. Christopher Rohling, center, goes over last minute details of a mission Aug. 2, 2012, on Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan. Rohling is assigned to the Texas Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion (Airborne), 143r... More
Local Afghans gather around a newly re-opened water
Local Afghans gather around a newly re-opened water pumping station in Charikar, the capital of Parwan province, June 11. The pumping station, which was originally built in 2008, fell into disuse because of the... More
A U.S. soldier provides security during a trip to a
A U.S. soldier provides security during a trip to a clinic in eastern Afghanistan’s Kapisa province, Aug. 1, 2012. The soldier is assigned to the Texas Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion (Airborne), 143rd Infa... More
An U.S. Army captain shows British army Brig. Felix
An U.S. Army captain shows British army Brig. Felix Gedney the countryside surrounding his base in Paktika province, Afghanistan, June 28.
Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno
Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno listens to a briefing from combat commanders serving in eastern Afghanistan during a trip to Bagram Air Field, Sept. 18, 2012.
Spc. Charles Cothren brings up the rear during a
Spc. Charles Cothren brings up the rear during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at a food production center in Parwan province, Afghanistan. Cothren is assigned to the 1st Infantry Division’s headquarters battalion, a... More
Soldiers with 1st Infantry Division are deployed throughout
Soldiers with 1st Infantry Division are deployed throughout eastern Afghanistan, serving in positions ranging from the senior commanding general in Regional Command-East to foot soldiers in the country's most r... More
Spc. Joseph Wezner, a medic with the 1st Infantry Division’s
Spc. Joseph Wezner, a medic with the 1st Infantry Division’s headquarters battalion, stands guard during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at a water pumping station in Parwan province, Afghanistan, June 11.
An Afghan boy leans on a tree outside of him home in
An Afghan boy leans on a tree outside of him home in eastern Afghanistan’s mountainous Kapisa province, Aug. 2, 2012.
An M4 rifle sits ready in the hands of a 1st Infantry
An M4 rifle sits ready in the hands of a 1st Infantry Division soldier during a mission in eastern Afghanistan, April 26.
British army Brig. Felix Gedney and soldiers from the
British army Brig. Felix Gedney and soldiers from the U.S. Army's 1st Infantry Division rush towards a Chinook helicopter after a visit to a remote operating base in Paktika province, Afghanistan, June 28.
Sgt. 1st Class Shannon Davis, a soldier deployed to
Sgt. 1st Class Shannon Davis, a soldier deployed to Afghanistan with the Texas Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion (Airborne), 143rd Infantry Regiment, gives a convoy brief to his troops before a mission Aug. 1, 2012.
President Barack Obama speaks to troops serving on
President Barack Obama speaks to troops serving on Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, during a surprise visit, May 2.
A U.S. soldier deployed to eastern Afghanistan celebrates
A U.S. soldier deployed to eastern Afghanistan celebrates the Fourth of July with a slice of pizza delivered to him and others at a remote combat outpost by 1st Infantry Division Deputy Commanding General – Man... More
An Afghan girl ventures a curious look from her residence
An Afghan girl ventures a curious look from her residence in Kapisa province, Afghanistan, as U.S. troops assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Kapisa, a military-led reconstruction team, visit a local cli... More
An Afghan girl holds a young family member in a village
An Afghan girl holds a young family member in a village of eastern Afghanistan’s Kapisa province, Aug. 2, 2012. Kapisa is one of Afghanistan’s smallest provinces, yet also one of its most populated and ethnical... More
An U.S. soldier deployed to Kapisa province, Afghanistan,
An U.S. soldier deployed to Kapisa province, Afghanistan, with the Texas Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 143rd Infantry Regiment, pulls security during a mission, Aug. 1. The 1-143 provides security for th... More
In celebration of Independence Day, U.S. soldiers serving
In celebration of Independence Day, U.S. soldiers serving on a remote outpost in eastern Afghanistan’s Wardak province enjoy pizza and non-alcoholic beer delivered to them by Brig. Gen. Paul Funk, the 1st Infan... More
Afghan children gather curiously as U.S. soldiers stand
Afghan children gather curiously as U.S. soldiers stand guard in an alley in Kapisa province, Afghanistan, Aug. 1, 2012. The soldiers secure the area as members of Provincial Reconstruction Team Kapisa check on... More
Trailing closely behind the lead aircraft, an U.S.
Trailing closely behind the lead aircraft, an U.S. Army Chinook helicopter turn towards its objective during a mission in eastern Afghanistan, June 28.
Afghan children watch as a U.S. soldier pulls security
Afghan children watch as a U.S. soldier pulls security on a road in eastern Afghanistan’s Kapisa province during a mission Aug. 2, 2012. The soldier is assigned to the Texas Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion,... More
Spc. Glen Abbot stands guard during a meeting of military,
Spc. Glen Abbot stands guard during a meeting of military, civilian and Afghan officials in eastern Afghanistan’s Parwan province, June 11. Assigned to the 1st Infantry Division’s headquarters battalion, Abbot’... More
Maj. Gen. William C. Mayville Jr., left, and Command
Maj. Gen. William C. Mayville Jr., left, and Command Sgt. Maj. Charles V. Sasser Jr., the command team of Combined Joint Task Force-1 and the 1st Infantry Division, place a ceremonial wreath during a Memorial D... More
Local Afghan businessmen give Lt. Col. James Davis
Local Afghan businessmen give Lt. Col. James Davis a turn at cutting the ribbon at a ceremony celebrating Bagram Food Company’s acquisition of a transformer that will expand their production capabilities in Cha... More
A U.S. soldier pulls security during a mission in eastern
A U.S. soldier pulls security during a mission in eastern Afghanistan’s Kapisa province, Aug. 1, 2012. Assigned to the Texas Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion (Airborne), 143rd Infantry Regiment, he is one of... More
An Afghan boy stands close by as local officials and
An Afghan boy stands close by as local officials and residents of Charikar, the provincial capital of Parwan, Afghanistan, speak with U.S. Department of State and Army officers at a ribbon cutting ceremony, Jun... More
A 1st Infantry Division soldier prepares to board a
A 1st Infantry Division soldier prepares to board a helicopter on Forward Operating Base Shank, a joint coalition and Afghan force base in eastern Afghanistan, April 26.
U.S. soldiers at Forward Operating Base Finley-Shields,
U.S. soldiers at Forward Operating Base Finley-Shields, Afghanistan, sit down to a mid-afternoon Thanksgiving meal, Nov. 22, 2012. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Roland Hale, RC-East Public Affairs)
An Afghan boy smiles as he talks to U.S. troops through
An Afghan boy smiles as he talks to U.S. troops through an interpreter during a mission in Kapisa province, Afghanistan. U.S. troops deployed here with Provincial Reconstruction Team Kapisa visited several vill... More
Spc. Glen Abbot stands guard during a meeting of military,
Spc. Glen Abbot stands guard during a meeting of military, civilian and Afghan officials in eastern Afghanistan’s Parwan province, June 11. Assigned to the 1st Infantry Division’s headquarters battalion, Abbot’... More
A 1st Infantry Division soldier mans the turret of
A 1st Infantry Division soldier mans the turret of an armored vehicle during a mission in Parwan province, Afghanistan, June 11.
A soldier deployed to Afghanistan with the Texas Army
A soldier deployed to Afghanistan with the Texas Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion (Airborne), 143rd Infantry Regiment, prepares his truck’s weapon system before a mission from Bagram Air Field to eastern Afg... More
U.S. soldiers serving in Afghanistan with the 4th Brigade
U.S. soldiers serving in Afghanistan with the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, make an Independence Day toast over a special holiday treat of pizzas and non-alcoholic beers. Brig. Gen. Paul Funk... More
U.S. soldiers at Forward Operating Base Finley-Shields,
U.S. soldiers at Forward Operating Base Finley-Shields, Afghanistan, sit down to a mid-afternoon Thanksgiving meal, Nov. 22, 2012. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Roland Hale, RC-East Public Affairs)
Spc. Charles Cothren keeps his eyes on the road during
Spc. Charles Cothren keeps his eyes on the road during a mission in eastern Afghanistan’s Parwan province, June 11. Cothren is assigned to the 1st Infantry Division’s headquarters battalion.
An Afghan boy holds a pen given to him by a soldier
An Afghan boy holds a pen given to him by a soldier during a mission in Kapisa province, Afghanistan, Aug. 2, 2012. Pens are popular with the children here, who use them to write and draw at school. During thei... More
Staff Sgt. Francisco Ballou, left, and Spc. Glen Abbot
Staff Sgt. Francisco Ballou, left, and Spc. Glen Abbot patrol a road in eastern Afghanistan’s Parwan province, June 11. Assigned to the 1st Infantry Division’s headquarters battalion, these soldiers are charged... More
Lt. Col. James Davis, commander of the 1st Infantry
Lt. Col. James Davis, commander of the 1st Infantry Division’s headquarters battalion and Task Force Defender, leads a platoon of soldiers and civilians down a highway in eastern Afghanistan’s Parwan province, June 11.
Maj. Gen. William C. Mayville Jr. speaks to soldiers
Maj. Gen. William C. Mayville Jr. speaks to soldiers during a Memorial Day service on Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, May 28.
A U.S. Army soldier with the 101st Airborne Division
A U.S. Army soldier with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) prepares his Thanksgiving plate at Forward Operating Base Finley-Shield, Afghanistan, Nov. 22, 2012. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Roland Hale, RC-E... More
Spc. Michael Dawdy, a cook with the 3rd Brigade, 1st
Spc. Michael Dawdy, a cook with the 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division, prepares pizzas delivered to him and other U.S. troops serving on a remote outpost in eastern Afghanistan in celebration of Independence Day.
An Afghan child smiles during an encounter with U.S.
An Afghan child smiles during an encounter with U.S. troops during a mission to check on local wells and water pumps in Kapisa province, Aug. 2. Provincial Reconstruction Team Kapisa is one of several teams dep... More
Spc. Charles Cothren scans his surroundings during
Spc. Charles Cothren scans his surroundings during a mission in Parwan province, Afghanistan, June 11. Cothren is assigned to the 1st Infantry Division’s headquarters battalion.
The mortar pit on Forward Operating Base Tillman, Paktika
The mortar pit on Forward Operating Base Tillman, Paktika province, Afghanistan.
Sgt. Michael Morales, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 143rd
Sgt. Michael Morales, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 143rd Infantry Regiment, provides security during a mission in eastern Afghanistan’s Kapisa province, Aug. 2, 2012. The Texas Army National Guard unit is assigned... More
Staff Sgt. Francisco Ballou pulls security during a
Staff Sgt. Francisco Ballou pulls security during a mission in eastern Afghanistan’s Parwan province, June 11.
President Barack Obama speaks to troops serving on
President Barack Obama speaks to troops serving on Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, during a surprise visit, May 2.
Roughly 20,000 U.S. service members spent this Fourth
Roughly 20,000 U.S. service members spent this Fourth of July serving in the ranks of Regional Command – East, the coalition command responsible for military operations in the 14 provinces of eastern Afghanistan.
President Barack Obama speaks to troops serving on
President Barack Obama speaks to troops serving on Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, during a surprise visit, May 2.
Seen through a small window on the side of its sister
Seen through a small window on the side of its sister ship, a U.S. Army Chinook helicopter sits ready on the flight line of a coalition base in eastern Afghanistan, June 28.
Lt. Col. James Davis, commander of the 1st Infantry
Lt. Col. James Davis, commander of the 1st Infantry Division’s headquarters battalion and Task Force Defender, leads a platoon of soldiers down a highway in eastern Afghanistan’s Parwan province, June 11.
Spc. Ronald Corona, an infantryman deployed to Afghanistan
Spc. Ronald Corona, an infantryman deployed to Afghanistan with the Texas Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion (Airborne), 143rd Infantry Regiment, provides security during a dismounted mission in the eastern Ka... More
An Afghan boy talks to a U.S. soldier deployed to
An Afghan boy talks to a U.S. soldier deployed to Afghanistan with the Texas Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 143rd Infantry Regiment, during a mission in eastern Afghanistan’s mountainous Kapisa province, ... More
Staff Sgt. Christopher O’Callaghan, 1st Battalion
Staff Sgt. Christopher O’Callaghan, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 143rd Infantry Regiment, moves into the tree-line during a mission in eastern Afghanistan’s Kapisa province, Aug. 2, 2012. The Texas Army National G... More
British army Brig. Felix Gedney serves as a deputy
British army Brig. Felix Gedney serves as a deputy commanding general for the 1st Infantry Division in eastern Afghanistan.
U.S. soldiers at Forward Operating Base Finley-Shields,
U.S. soldiers at Forward Operating Base Finley-Shields, Afghanistan, sit down to a mid-afternoon Thanksgiving meal, Nov. 22, 2012. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Roland Hale, RC-East Public Affairs)
Lt. Col. David Lockhart, chaplain, gives the benediction
Lt. Col. David Lockhart, chaplain, gives the benediction at a Memorial Day service on Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, May 28.
Afghan children take a break from collecting water
Afghan children take a break from collecting water to wave as U.S. troops pass by during a mission in eastern Afghanistan’s Parwan province, June 11, 2012. The soldiers, assigned to the 1st Infantry Division’s ... More
A 1st Infantry Division soldier scans the Afghan countryside
A 1st Infantry Division soldier scans the Afghan countryside during a mission in eastern Afghanistan, April 26.
An U.S. Army soldier watches the approach of his ride,
An U.S. Army soldier watches the approach of his ride, a Chinook helicopter, as it approaches a remote outpost in eastern Afghanistan's Paktika province, June 28.
An Afghan girl waves as U.S. troops pass her home during
An Afghan girl waves as U.S. troops pass her home during a mission in Kapisa province, Afghanistan, Aug. 1, 2012. The country’s ruggedly mountainous and dusty eastern provinces look almost sepia-toned, and the ... More
First Sgt. Lee Lawrence, the senior enlisted tactical
First Sgt. Lee Lawrence, the senior enlisted tactical adviser to Provincial Reconstruction Team Kapisa, stands guard during a mission to check on the status of road repairs in the mountains of Kapisa province, ... More
Seen through a small window on the side of its sister
Seen through a small window on the side of its sister ship, an U.S. Army Chinook helicopter makes a landing during a mission in eastern Afghanistan, June 28.
A young Afghan girl peers from her door in Kapisa province,
A young Afghan girl peers from her door in Kapisa province, Afghanistan, during a visit by a U.S. military-led reconstruction team to check on the village’s water pumps, Aug. 2, 2012. Clean water is not only a ... More
A 1st Infantry Division soldier assigned to the headquarters
A 1st Infantry Division soldier assigned to the headquarters battalion’s security platoon prepares his vehicle for a mission June 11 on Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.
Through an interpreter, an Afghan man speaks about
Through an interpreter, an Afghan man speaks about a recent road repair project Aug. 2 with U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Eric Shafa, the commander of Provincial Reconstruction Kapisa. PRT Kapisa is a U.S. military-l... More
Local Afghan businessmen and Bill Swaney, the U.S.
Local Afghan businessmen and Bill Swaney, the U.S. Department of State’s senior civilian representative in Afghanistan’s Parwan province, cut the ribbon at a water pumping station in Charikar, June 11. With U.S... More
Tech. Sgt. Richard Love, left, and U.S. Air Force Lt.
Tech. Sgt. Richard Love, left, and U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Eric Shafa, right, speak to an Afghan man about a recent road repair project in Afghanistan’s Kapisa province, Aug. 2. Love and Shafa are members of Pr... More